Aboriginal Inspired Yarn Paintings

This year's theme for NAIDOC Week is 'Because of Her, We Can!' My Year 5 students created these yarn paintings inspired by the paintings of indigenous West Australian women. Some of the artists we researched were Biddee Baadjo, Queenie McKenzie, Eubena Nampitjin, Jill Jack, Kim West Napurrula, Nada Rawlins, Marcia Purdie, Rosie Goodjie and Stumpy Brown.

Yarn paintings or nierika, are traditionally made by the Huichol people of Mexico. I hadn't attempted this before with students and I was surprised by how well they did. We used only pieces of card and a glue stick. 

       

Queenie McKenzie                         Kim West Naparrula                       Eubena Nampitjin             

       

Rosie Goodjie                                    Biddee Baadjo                                                Jill Jac

Marcia Purdie                                       Stumpy Brown                                                   Nada Rawlins

    

   

 

 

 

 

     

   

Day of the Dead Masks

 My grade 5 students created these masks a couple of years ago. I plan to do them again this year as they turned out really well and the kids really enjoyed making them. This project was inspired by this post from 'Scrumdilly-Do', where you can also find instructions.

During the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), decorative or edible skulls or 'calaveras' are made from either sugar or clay. Small sugar skulls represent the children who have passed away, while the larger sugar skulls represent the adults. These celebrations take place over the 1st and 2nd of November and it is believed that the departed return home to enjoy the offering on the alter.

I had my students fold their paper plate in half to draw the shape of the skull so that once cut ot the shape would be symmetrical. We also discussed symmetry of design. After discussing the origins and traditions surrounding sugar skulls or calaveras, I provided many images of traditional Mexican designs on skulls to inspire student's own designs. We drew in pencil and coloured with textas (felt tip markers).

I also gave the option of using metallic pens and I think this year I will also make jewels and sequins available to them. Students may also choose to decorate the popstick handle which is taped to the back of each mask.

More LOVE

image via turbosquid.com

A few years ago I had my students paint their own version of pop artist Robert Indiana's iconic sculpture 'LOVE' (1970). You can see the previous results HERE. After folding a square piece of paper in half twice to achieve four equal sections, students were asked to sketch in the lettering as best they could. This time I made it an exploration of value, asking students to choose any colour to paint the letters and then to use white and black to create two tints and two shades of their colour for the background. Black marker was used to outline once complete. Obviously I am very late in posting this, but this is a great project to do in time for Valentine's Day.